In February, Croatia recorded the highest growth in retail sales in the EU, while the European average was hindered by weaker sales in food stores and gas stations, data from the European statistical office showed on Friday.
In the eurozone, retail sales in February decreased by 0.7 percent compared to the same month last year, slightly less than in January. In the EU it nearly stagnated, following a 0.6 percent decline in the first month of this year, according to revised data.
The monthly comparison shows a 0.5 percent decline in retail sales in the eurozone, while the EU is close behind with a 0.4 percent decline in sales compared to January when both areas were more or less stagnant.
Decreased Food Purchases
On an annual basis, the most significant decline in the eurozone was recorded in sales of food, beverages, and tobacco products, down by 1.4 percent compared to February last year. In the EU, the largest decline in sales was recorded at gas stations, down by 1.5 percent compared to February last year.
The monthly comparison, however, shows the largest decline in fuel sales, down by 1.4 percent in the eurozone and by 0.9 percent in the EU.
Europeans have again reduced their purchases of food, beverages, and tobacco products, which decreased by 0.4 percent in the eurozone compared to January, and by 0.5 percent in the EU. At the beginning of the year, retail sales in food stores in the eurozone were stagnant, while in the EU they had increased by 0.3 percent.
